For Round Lake senior Riley Kongkaeow, wrestling is a family affair.
Riley Kongkaeow’s oldest brother Ender is the Panthers’ coach, and her older brother Grayson is a volunteer assistant.
“Sometimes it gets frustrating, especially with my younger brother, who’s closer in age at 20 years old,” Kongkaeow said. “It can get a bit chippy. But my head coach has been my wrestling coach since I started wrestling — he’s always been my coach — so it feels good to have him as my coach.
“I plan on wrestling in college, so it will be weird not having him there all the time.”
The Kongkaeows hope to experience one more weekend full of memorable moments during the state meet, which begins Friday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Riley Kongkaeow has qualified in the 100-pound weight class for the fourth time.
“I’m excited for state,” she said. “When I first started wrestling, I didn’t like it. I preferred jujitsu over wrestling. Once I officially joined wrestling in eighth grade, I started to enjoy the atmosphere.
“Having my brothers help me and coach me makes it a special experience. They both push me to do my best. Ender has taught me that good technique is important, along with strength training. We do a lot of mental work together. Staying confident is good.”
But Riley Kongkaeow (19-3), who has more than 100 career wins, hasn’t always been so confident. Placing fourth at the 2025 state meet was significant for her.
“I think last year helped me a lot in calming my nerves,” she said. “I have more confidence in myself, even after losing in the semifinals last year. I used to doubt myself and feel bad. I had a lot of self-doubt. My mindset was not great.
“Placing at state for the first time showed me I’m capable of way more. It was a proud moment making the podium. I was proud of that accomplishment.”
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No Round Lake wrestler has won a state title. William Cole, a freshman at Northern Illinois, was the state runner-up in the 285-pound weight class in Class 3A last year.
Within the Kongkaeow family, Ender competed in two sectionals before he graduated in 2020, and Grayson qualified for the state meet as a senior in 2024.
Riley Kongkaeow is considered one of the best wrestlers in Round Lake history.
“Seeing my siblings work together and lead the charge is important,” Ender Kongkaeow said. “But Riley never uses her brothers’ coaching as an excuse. She’s always one of the hardest workers in the room and leads by example.”
Jocelyn Cortes-Mancilla, a team captain along with Riley Kongkaeow and Korrie Salazar, has witnessed Kongkaeow’s work ethic too.
“Her focus and dedication to the sport is unlike any I have ever seen,” Cortes-Mancilla said.
Riley Kongkaeow also supports her teammates.
“Whenever somebody asks for helps or needs something, she’s always there no matter what,” Salazar said. “She always makes time for people. Riley is such a caring and inspiring person.”
To reach the state meet, Riley Kongkaeow has had to overcome an injury that limited her to 22 matches. She said she had been worried she might not be ready for the postseason but won a regional title and placed second in the sectional.
“It was challenging because obviously I had big goals for this season, so having to sit out for about two months, I was bummed out,” she said. “I had the mindset of attacking my rehab, which kept me going until I was cleared for regionals. I was happy to be back out there.
“I wasn’t sure how far I could go with the injury. I was nervous, but once I got on the mat, I knew what to do. I worked hard to get to this point and am looking forward to state.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.